Trash receptable with adjustable bottom portion

ABSTRACT

In one embodiment, a trash can assembly is provided. The trash can assembly comprises a shell having an open top edge, an outer surface, a first bottom end and a periphery, with the open top edge having a unitary frame extending from the top edge and wherein the fist bottom end adjusts to move toward the open top edge.

BACKGROUND

This present disclosure relates generally to trash receptacles and morespecifically to a trash receptacle having an adjustable bottom portionthat, among other things, allows the trash in the receptacle to be pushtoward the entrance of where the trash enters, facilitating easy removalof the trash and/or trash bag.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure resides in a trash apparatus having at least onebottom portion that is adjustable. The present disclosure providesnumerous benefits and advantages, including allowing the user of thetrash can to adjust the at least one bottom portion of the trash can toeasily eject and remove the objects contained in the trash can withoutdifficulties.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a trash can assembly isprovided. The trash can assembly comprises a shell having an open topedge, an outer surface, a first bottom end and a periphery, with theopen top edge having a unitary frame extending from the top edge andwherein the fist bottom end adjusts to move toward the open top edge.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a trash can assembly isprovided. The trash can assembly comprises a shell having an open topedge, an outer surface, a first bottom end and a periphery, with theopen top edge having a unitary frame extending from the top edge and alever arm to adjust the first bottom end toward the open top edge andwherein the first bottom end is adjustable so as to move toward the topedge.

In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, a trash canassembly is provided. The trash can assembly comprises a shell having atop opening, a first bottom end and an inner and outer surfaceconnecting the top opening and the first bottom end and a lever arm,wherein the lever arm is connected to the first bottom end so actuatingthe level arm causes the first bottom end to move toward the topopening.

In an aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, thetrash can assembly further comprises a second bottom end that is inclose proximity to the first bottom end.

In another aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure,the trash can assembly further comprises a foot pedal pivotally securedto the base of the trash can assembly and connected to the first bottomend.

In yet another aspect of at least one embodiment of the presentdisclosure, the foot pedal pivots about a pivot point, with the pivotpoint positioned at or inside the periphery of the shell.

In yet another aspect of at least one embodiment of the presentdisclosure, the trash can assembly further comprises a link assemblycoupling the foot pedal and the first bottom end.

In yet another aspect of at least one embodiment of the presentdisclosure, the trash can assembly further comprises a lid pivotallysecured to the shell.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 demonstrates one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 demonstrates another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description is of the best presently contemplatedmodes of carrying out the invention. This description is not to be takenin a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustratinggeneral principles of embodiments of the invention. The scope of theinvention is best defined by the appended claims. In certain instances,detailed descriptions of well-known devices and mechanisms are omittedso as to not obscure the description of the present invention withunnecessary detail.

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a trash can assembly 20 accordingto the present invention. The assembly 20 has an outer shell 22. Theouter shell 22 is a generally cylindrical shell in FIGS. 1 and 2 but canbe any shape or size for purposes of the present disclosure. FIG. 1further shows lever arm 24 operatively connected to the first bottom end26 and connected to a foot peddle 28, which is located in closeproximity to the second bottom end 30. It should be appreciated that thefirst bottom end can act as the bottom of the trash can assembly andthat the second bottom end is not a requirement of the inventionsdisclosed and claimed herein.

FIG. 2 illustrates the lever arm being actuated to move the first bottomend toward the top opening to facilitate removal and/or ejection ofitems placed in the trash can assembly.

A lid 32 is hingedly connected to the top of the outer shell 22. Theshell 22 and its lid 32 can be made of a solid and stable material, suchas a metal. A handle mechanism can be provided along the outer surfaceof the shell (not shown).

One significance is that the first bottom portion can be moved or raisedtoward the opening of the trash can assembly thereby causing the trashcan assembly to push or eject and/or all of its contents at leastpartially out of the trash can assembly thereby preventing the trashfrom getting stuck in the trash can assembly and making removal of thetrash, which is often a distained task, easier and more efficient.

Thus, the trash can assembly 20 of the present invention provides animproved assembly that facilitates easier and more convenient use andtrash removal by the user. Other benefits and advantages apply.

One embodiment is that the trash can is able to acquire two peddles thatare placed next to one another. As one will open the lid and the otherwill push up the bottom portion and raise towards the opening of thetrash can.

The above detailed description is for the best presently contemplatedmodes of carrying out the invention. This description is not to be takenin a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustratinggeneral principles of embodiments of the invention. The scope of theinvention is best defined by the appended claims. In certain instances,detailed descriptions of well-known devices, components, mechanisms andmethods are omitted so as to not obscure the description of the presentinvention with unnecessary detail.

1. A trash can assembly, comprising: a shell having an open top edge, anouter surface, a first bottom end and a periphery, with the open topedge having a unitary frame extending from the top edge and wherein thefist bottom end adjusts to move toward the open top edge.
 2. The trashcan assembly of claim 1, further comprising a second bottom end that isin close proximity to the first bottom end.
 3. The trash can assembly ofclaim 1, further comprising a foot pedal pivotally secured to the baseof the trash can assembly and connected to the first bottom end.
 4. Theassembly of claim 3, wherein the foot pedal pivots about a pivot point,with the pivot point positioned at or inside the periphery of the shell.5. The assembly of claim 3, further including a link assembly couplingthe foot pedal and the first bottom end.
 6. The trash can assembly ofclaim 1, further comprising a lid pivotally secured to the shell.
 7. Atrash can assembly, comprising: a shell having an open top edge, anouter surface, a first bottom end and a periphery, with the open topedge having a unitary frame extending from the top edge and a lever armto adjust the first bottom end toward the open top edge and wherein thefirst bottom end is adjustable so as to move toward the top edge.
 8. Thetrash can assembly of claim 7, wherein the lever arm is pivotallysecured to the trash can assembly and connected to the first bottom end.9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the lever arm pivots about a pivotpoint, with the pivot point positioned at or inside the periphery of theshell.
 10. The assembly of claim 8, further including a link assemblycoupling the lever arm and the first bottom end.
 11. The trash canassembly of claim 7, further comprising a lid pivotally secured to theshell.
 12. The trash can assembly of claim 7, further comprising asecond bottom end that is in close proximity to the first bottom end.13. A trash can assembly, comprising: a shell having a top opening, afirst bottom end and an inner and outer surface connecting the topopening and the first bottom end and a lever arm, wherein the lever armis connected to the first bottom end so actuating the lever arm causesthe first bottom end to move toward the top opening.
 14. The assembly ofclaim 13, wherein the level arm pivots about a pivot point, with thepivot point positioned at or inside the periphery of the shell.
 15. Theassembly of claim 13, further including a link assembly coupling thelever arm and the first bottom end.
 16. The trash can assembly of claim13, further comprising a lid pivotally secured to the shell.
 17. Thetrash can assembly of claim 13, further comprising a second bottom endthat is in close proximity to the first bottom end.
 13. The trash canassembly of claim 13, wherein the lever arm is secured to the trash canassembly and pivotally connected to the first bottom end.
 18. The trashcan assembly of claim 13, wherein the lever arm is secured to the trashcan assembly and pivotally connected to the first bottom end.